Thousands of People Are
Being Transformed by Jesus Christ in the Arab World as the Gospel Breaks
New Ground in a Region Hostile to Its Message and Its Missionaries

ERBIL, IRAQ — Amidst the
battle against Islamic State across Syria and Iraq, an Arab Holocaust
continues to unfold as millions of people flee their extremist
ideologies and horrifying violence.

The situation is reaching a
"new level of barbarity with each passing day" that's resulting in
"devastating spillover effects across the region," stated U.N. Secretary
General Ban Ki-moon at a meeting with world powers late last year.

(Photo: Reuters/Stringer)

A
member from the Iraqi forensic team writes on the body bag of remains
belonging to Shiite soldiers from Camp Speicher who have been killed by
Islamic State militants at a mass grave in the presidential compound of
the former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein in Tikrit, April 6, 2015.
Iraqi forensic teams began on Monday excavating 12 suspected mass grave
sites thought to hold the corpses of as many as 1,700 soldiers massacred
last summer by Islamic State militants as they swept across northern
Iraq.

Here
in Iraq and Syria, the atmosphere among the people is one of despair as
the world turns a blind eye to their suffering. "Only the mountains are
our friends," say many Kurds, a minority group hatefully persecuted by
the radical Islamists.However, in the thick of the chaos and
oppression, a glimmer of hope has emerged as thousands of people from
traditional Muslim backgrounds discover the Gospel of Jesus Christ."I
was a devote Muslim and often preached, but there was something
missing. There was something empty about Allah and the Quran. Jesus
appeared to me in a dream and open my eyes ... what has missing was His
love and peace," said Iraqi Barazan Azeezi to The Christian Post.Like
many others disillusioned with the widespread oppression and injustice,
Azeezi soon went looking for a Bible and started to read it and inspect
it."I used to be a violent person internally and I was always
afraid of Allah. I kept following instructions to satisfy him; however,
as I read the Bible I began to love the true God and see His truth," he
adds.Muslims who embrace Christianity are ostracized by the
community, disowned by their families and sometimes even killed for
their newfound faith in Jesus.According to Islamic doctrine, the
death penalty for apostasy is found in two Quranic verses, 2:217 and
4:89. There are also several other supporting Hadiths where Muhammad the
prophet of Islam declares: "whoever changes his Islamic religion, kill
him."It's a price many are willing to pay after they meet Jesus, says Azeez."In
the beginning, my family thought I was joking and claimed that I was
going mad. After months of debates, they started to threaten to kill me.
... It was God's grace that helped me overcome the fear."

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(Photo: Reuters/Stringer)

Displaced
Iraqi children, who fled from Islamic State violence in Mosul, sit on
the ground, on the outskirts of Najaf, south of Baghdad June 24, 2015.

It's a familiar reaction from family members for many Muslims who turn to Christ.Some
new believers told CP that Jesus spoke to them while others were led to
missionaries or churches to find out more. It's a unique message of
peace that has even touched the hearts of some hardened Islamic State
killers."After Islamic State fighters took control of cities like
Mosul, they began to demolish churches. One fighter who was assigned to
destroy a particular church saw a very bright light when he visited the
church after dark. The light identified Himself to be Jesus. The
fighter accepted Him as Lord," Azeez explained.Other Islamic
State fighters in Syria share stories of meeting a "man" who appeared to
them and healed them of various afflications or wounds. Once they
identify it was Jesus, they accept Him into their lives as their
Messiah, despite being trapped inside IS territory.Serving the
persecuted church in the Middle East, many front-line workers are also
watching the Gospel spread and change lives in the predominantly Muslim
region."A decade ago, we would all hear when even one Muslim came
to Christ in Lebanon or Syria. Now there are so many we cannot keep
count," explains a humanitarian worker to CP.Here in Northern
Iraq, a group of around 1,000 people gather in a hall for a Christian
worship service in Arabic. The room is dotted with Muslim women wearing
the hijab and niqab, lifting their hands and praising God in Arabic.Ululations break out as the people begin to joyfully worship, despite their struggles to survive and the threat of violence."We
met a man who asked about the character of Christ and why Christians
believe He is the Son of God," shared a missionary with U.S.
organization Voice of the Martyrs. "We had a fantastic time explaining
and sharing our faith with him and his wife. They listened carefully to
know more and urgently requested a Bible to start reading."Another
frontline worker said: "We also saw a 15-year-old boy who we
evangelized during our last visit. He was looking for us and had
questions about the Bible."The humanitarian crisis in the Middle
East has reached unprecedented figures with more than 4 million people
currently displaced, killed, tortured, raped or sold into slavery.
Millions of others are struggling to survive in refugee camps or flee
the ongoing conflict.Azeez believes the emergence of Islamic
State and the increasing injustice and oppression across the region, is a
sign of the spiritual battle for the hearts of the people who call the
region home."I believe Satan creates chaos in the Middle East to
stop the Gospel from reaching our people. This is one of his last
strongholds in the world and he won't back off easily," he concludes.

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About Me

Ambassador T. Brikins is a Writer Blogger, Mass Communications Consultant and Inforpreneur having experiences in the National News Media, Oil and Gas, Administration, University and the Church of Christ..
He is C.E.O. @ New Direction Communications..
He is an ordained Minister and heavily imparted by Dr. David Oyedepo, Pastor E.A.Adeboye, Rev.Roselyn Oduyemi, Kenneth Copeland,Dr. D.Yongi Cho, Apostle Alex Bamgbola, Kenneth E. Hagin, Apostle G. Oduyemi, Archbishop Benson Idahosa, T.L. Osborn,Dr. E.W. Kenyon , Oral Roberts and many more.
Ambassador T. Brikins runs with the visions of Isaiah 11:9; Matthew 23:23 and 11 Corinthians 5:16-21 working with the Lord for their practical expressions in every area of life. .
He lives in Lagos, Nigeria.
Twitter:@Brikins_tuoyo
Email:weightiermatter@gmail.com
Phone:+234-8023131300